In researching a turkey trot for the wife and I ( and our 15 mo old) to do on thanksgiving, the local 10k option (for $40) says no strollers.
why do small races around the holidays not allow strollers? would a race not allowing strollers make you more likely to sign up for it?
Safety.
Now cue all those who can run a 10k with a stroller in 25 minutes telling us how safe they are.
In researching a turkey trot for the wife and I ( and our 15 mo old) to do on thanksgiving, the local 10k option (for $40) says no strollers.
why do small races around the holidays not allow strollers? would a race not allowing strollers make you more likely to sign up for it?
Our local TT allows strollers on the 5K but not the 10K because it uses a narrow path and strollers would be a pain. Either yours has some part of the route that is too narrow for strollers, or they think the stroller folks will take too long, I’ll bet.
Safety.
Now cue all those who can run a 10k with a stroller in 25 minutes telling us how safe they are.
This. Some parent tried to pass people, rubbed the curb with the stroller and launched his kid. Saw it first hand. These stroller-pushing parents are absolutely crazy and terrorize other runners at all cost (most, not all).
Strollers are fine for solo runners or even small groups. In a crowded run? No thank you. I’d rather not trip over a stroller. Similarly I fully support a ban on dogs, and earphones during races or other mass participation events.
Someone did the local Park Run (weekly free to enter 5km timed run that take place in most UK towns each week) with a dog on one of those extending leads. True to form he started far too far forward and caused utter chaos when his dog made a nice trip wire for people to jump over.
would a race not allowing strollers make you more likely to sign up for it?
Doesn’t make me more or less likely to sign up, but I’m happy when they are either not allowed, or relegated to the fun/walk start time.
I wonder if the race insurance company has a say in the matter.
Sorry you aren’t up here. My 6K allows strollers and is a blast. A guy with a stroller finished 4th one year (that is rare). We also allow ear phones and dogs. Its crazy! (actually we have a separate dog start time as some of those canicross people are super fast).
Change of pace racing company allows strollers in their races. I am doing their 5K and 10K turkey trots pushing a single stroller, then double stroller with my grandkids. This will be my 6th year. Have pushed a single stroller
in their half marathons. Yep, the little ones love it!
Security concerns following the Boston Marathon bombing.
would a race not allowing strollers make you more likely to sign up for it?
Doesn’t make me more or less likely to sign up, but I’m happy when they are either not allowed, or relegated to the fun/walk start time.
So, I push a double stroller in a 5K sub 20, and a single stroller in a half marathon at 1:28. I guess I am way too slow and should only be relegated to
the fun/walk start time. Want to race? 
would a race not allowing strollers make you more likely to sign up for it?
Doesn’t make me more or less likely to sign up, but I’m happy when they are either not allowed, or relegated to the fun/walk start time.
So, I push a double stroller in a 5K sub 20, and a single stroller in a half marathon at 1:28. I guess I am way too slow and should only be relegated to
the fun/walk start time. Want to race?
Well, isn’t that nifty. I realize you’re trying to be coy, but you’re well aware that you don’t fit the type of person that inspires RDs to ban strollers from races.
I did a turkey trot several years ago and started in the back thinking aka not thinking I can work my way through the crowd to catch my nephews. Needless to say even though I thought I had clearance a lady crossed my path and I slammed the stroller into her legs. Her race was over and I casually finished it feeling really awful. Moral of the story don’t start in the back with a stroller unless that is your plan to stay there.
would a race not allowing strollers make you more likely to sign up for it?
Doesn’t make me more or less likely to sign up, but I’m happy when they are either not allowed, or relegated to the fun/walk start time.
So, I push a double stroller in a 5K sub 20, and a single stroller in a half marathon at 1:28. I guess I am way too slow and should only be relegated to
the fun/walk start time. Want to race?
Dear god man, I saw this thread title and immediately thought: how many replies until I read the epic tale of the sub-20-double-stroller-triumph retold in all its splendour? I knew I would not be disappointed. Do you have any contrarian opinions on diet, weight, will-power, training structure or novel cycling equipment by chance?
I did a turkey trot several years ago and started in the back thinking aka not thinking I can work my way through the crowd to catch my nephews. Needless to say even though I thought I had clearance a lady crossed my path and I slammed the stroller into her legs. Her race was over and I casually finished it feeling really awful. Moral of the story don’t start in the back with a stroller unless that is your plan to stay there.
Great point. I know in these races the RD suggests folks using strollers, since most assume if someone is using a stroller, they will be walking. I talked to the RD about being up front since she knows my run abilities and said that would be fine. Last thing I would want to do is hit someone but clearly, with a stroller, that is a higher probability.
A few years back I did my first race pushing a double stroller I had borrowed. It worked great pre race. But when I took off in the race with the two kids and fast, the front wheel was going all over the place. I had to stop like 3 times to try and figure it out. I ended up just locking it down. But boy did I feel bad with having the folks who were all behind me having to deal with me even though I was totally at the side of the race course. At least when I was passing a lot of them when I was running again I felt a little better than I had not started in the front area for nothing.
So yep, if you plan to try and stay in front if you are fast, start in front. But if you are not fast or plan to walk, start in the back.
Parkruns welcome strollers and dogs. It’s a free 5km (3.3 mi) timed run usually on weekends. Certainly big in the UK and growing in other parts of the world including the US. if you don’t have one near you, why not consider starting one up? http://www.parkrun.us
Dear god man, I saw this thread title and immediately thought: how many replies until I read the epic tale of the sub-20-double-stroller-triumph retold in all its splendour? I knew I would not be disappointed. Do you have any contrarian opinions on diet, weight, will-power, training structure or novel cycling equipment by chance?
Made my day…thank you!
Perhaps some runners are reckless with their strollers.
I did a turkey trot several years ago and started in the back thinking aka not thinking I can work my way through the crowd to catch my nephews. Needless to say even though I thought I had clearance a lady crossed my path and I slammed the stroller into her legs. Her race was over and I casually finished it feeling really awful. Moral of the story don’t start in the back with a stroller unless that is your plan to stay there.
Great point. I know in these races the RD suggests folks using strollers, since most assume if someone is using a stroller, they will be walking. I talked to the RD about being up front since she knows my run abilities and said that would be fine. Last thing I would want to do is hit someone but clearly, with a stroller, that is a higher probability.
A few years back I did my first race pushing a double stroller I had borrowed. It worked great pre race. But when I took off in the race with the two kids and fast, the front wheel was going all over the place. I had to stop like 3 times to try and figure it out. I ended up just locking it down. But boy did I feel bad with having the folks who were all behind me having to deal with me even though I was totally at the side of the race course. At least when I was passing a lot of them when I was running again I felt a little better than I had not started in the front area for nothing.
So yep, if you plan to try and stay in front if you are fast, start in front. But if you are not fast or plan to walk, start in the back.
How many other people have you inconvenienced in races in order to pursue your selfish objectives of being able to brag about double stroller times?